SAN DIEGO -- It's something that's bound to happen a couple of weeks into organized team activities.
Players get tired of going against the same guy. Tempers inevitably flare, resulting in a full-blown fight between two players.
For the San Diego Chargers, that happened Monday, when outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu and right tackle Joe Barksdale had a minor scuffle during team drills.
The altercation did not last long and was quickly broken up by the rest of their teammates.
What makes it interesting is Attaochu and Barksdale are known as two of the more mellow players on San Diego's roster. So the scuffle shows the level of intensity the Chargers have been practicing at the last, few weeks.
However, Chargers head coach Mike McCoy said players should do other things with their practice time -- like practice.
"We don't coach that," McCoy said. "They're wasting their energy out there if you ask me. But they're competing out there. And they had the weekend off, so they're probably bored a little bit.
"But it's not something we're encouraging at all. They're wasting their time. It's only going to penalize us in a football game."
Some tidbits from practice:
Undrafted rookie safety Adrian McDonald had a big day, intercepting two passes and knocking down another intended for tight end Sean McGrath in the end zone. McDonald finished with 18 career interceptions during his career at Houston. Safety Adrian Phillips and cornerback Craig Mager also had interceptions Monday.
Receiver Keenan Allen continues to get open pretty much whenever he wants. Allen vs. Jason Verrett was once again the most entertaining matchup of the day at Chargers Park.
Safety Jahleel Addae said he's continuing to build chemistry with new safety Dwight Lowery, and that he's not concerned about replacing the production lost by the departure of Eric Weddle.
"It's not about filling the shoes of No. 32," Addae said. "It's about playing our game. It's about playing my game, and going about my business how I know."
Running back Branden Oliver returned to practice after sitting out last week in the OTA practice Tuesday available to reporters. Antonio Gates was not at practice. Chris Watt, Trevor Robinson, Terrell Chestnut, Shaq Petteway, Jamaal Jones and Steve Williams did not participate in practice.